Pain of Salvation is a
Swedish progressive rock/
metal band led by
Daniel Gildenlöw, who is the band's main songwriter, lyricist, guitarist, and vocalist. Pain of Salvation's sound is characterised by
riff-oriented guitar work, a broad vocal range, oscillation between heavy and calm passages,
syncopation, and
polyrhythms. Thus far, every album released by the band has been a
concept album. Lyrically, the band tends to address contemporary issues, such as sexuality, war, the environment, and the nature of God, humanity, and existence.